Call for proposals 2026
The Ethics of Society and Ethics of Communication (ETH) Working Group invites the submission of abstracts for its 2026 conference, to be held from 28 June to 2 July 2026 in Galway, Ireland, hosted by the University of Galway.
The deadline for submission is 3 February 2026 at 23:59 UTC.
Download this call for papers as a PDF file
Theme
IAMCR conferences cover a wide range of topics defined by our thematic Sections and Working Groups (S/WG). Each year, a central theme invites participants to engage in shared reflection across these diverse areas, fostering dialogue and collaboration.
The 2026 central theme, Peripheries and Connections: Media, Communication, and Transformation, addresses the complexities of contemporary media systems in a polarised and interconnected world. By interrogating the tensions between centrality and marginality—whether geographical, cultural, political, or conceptual—this theme aligns with IAMCR’s commitment to fostering critical and inclusive dialogues across diverse perspectives.
Consult a detailed description of the main theme
The Ethics of Society and Ethics of Communication Working Group welcomes abstracts that discuss any aspects related to the domain of ethics within the framework of the main topic and subthemes. We strongly encourage contributions that may be practical or theoretical in scope on issues relevant to all areas of communication and media studies. Researchers and practitioners working on the design or study of Codes of Ethics are especially welcome, as are cross-sectoral proposals. Examples of topics that would be of interest to the working group include:
- The contribution of postcolonial studies to communication ethics
- The ethical challenges of the tension between global and local perspectives in communication
- The imposition of hegemonic values in the mass media
- Influence, persuasion and communication ethics
- Reimagining values and media’s role in addressing critical challenges such as climate change, migration, representation, and digital inequalities
- Perspectives of the Global South on media and communication ethics
- Feminist approaches in media and communication ethics
- Ethics of cyberactivism by marginalized or underrepresented groups
- Ethnographic explorations of the ethics of subcultures in the field of communication and media
- The ethics of political communication in the face of marginality and the centrality of values
- Diversity in media and communication: case studies
- The dynamics of inclusion and exclusion generated by the use of artificial intelligence
- Communication and media: ensuring fairness through self-regulation
- Justice and inclusion as a principles of communication
- Alternative research methods and their acceptance by research ethics committees
We also invite methodological reflection on centrality and marginality in communication and media research: are we studying all angles, environments, all human groups? Are we sensitive towards diversity in research methods? As researchers, do we all have the same opportunities?
Guidelines for abstracts
Abstracts for papers to be presented in person at one of the Ethics of Society and Ethics of Communication Working Group’s conference sessions should be between 500 and 1000 words including references (preferably in APA 7th).
Abstracts must be submitted exclusively through IAMCR’s submission system from 28 November 2025 through 3 February 2026 at 23:59 UTC. Abstracts submitted by email will not be considered.
Proposals are accepted for both single papers and for panels with several papers (in which a group of colleagues propose multiple papers that address a single theme). You can find the detailed procedures when submitting your abstract online in the abstract submission system. In case of doubt please contact the Heads (details below).
It is expected that each person will submit only one abstract. However, no author’s name should appear on more than two abstracts, either individually or as part of any group of authors and authors should not submit more than one abstract to any single section or working group. The same abstract, or a version with minor variations in title or content, must not be submitted to more than one Section or Working Group. Such submissions will be deemed to be in breach of the conference guidelines and will be rejected. Authors submitting the same work to multiple Sections or Working Groups may be removed entirely from the conference programme.
Evaluation criteria
Submitted abstracts will generally be evaluated on the basis of:
- Technical merit
- Readability
- Originality and/or significance
- Use of or contribution to theory
- Depth of knowledge of the research, theory and/or literature related to the proposed topic as evidenced in the submission
- Relevance to the working group and current trends or controversies in its field
Acceptance of proposals may also be conditioned by programme diversity and balance criteria.
Languages
The Ethics of Society and Ethics of Communication Working Group accepts abstracts and panels as well as full papers in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. If you plan to present your research in any of the official languages, please prepare your PPT in English so that everybody in the room can understand your contribution and participate.
Statement on use of AI tools
IAMCR does not encourage or condone the use of generative AI tools to prepare abstracts submitted for consideration for our conferences. IAMCR values originality, integrity, and transparency in academic work, and believes that human-authored contributions best support rigorous and innovative scholarship in media and communication research. Should an author choose to use a generative AI tool in the preparation of an abstract, we require that they include a clear statement within their submission disclosing the tool's use. This statement must specify: (1) the name of any AI tool used; (2) how the tool was used in preparing the abstract, and; (3) the reason for using the tool. Failure to disclose the use of generative AI in accordance with these guidelines may impact the evaluation and acceptance of the submission.
Intention to attend
Each abstract submitted to IAMCR represents a real cost to the Association and contributes to the workload of volunteer reviewers and organisers. As the number of submissions each year far exceeds the available presentation slots, we ask authors to submit only if they genuinely intend to attend and present their work at the conference if accepted.
Deadlines and key dates
The deadline to submit proposals is 3 February 2026, at 23:59 UTC. Other key dates. Dates are subject to change.
About the Ethics of Society and Ethics of Communication Working Group
Learn more about the work and scope of the Ethics of Society and Ethics of Communication Working Group
Contact the Working Group
If you are a young researcher and need support do not hesitate to contact the WG vice-chair and delegate for ETH WG Young Researchers Network, Ben-Hur Demeneck, b.demeneck@uol.com.br.
For further information about the Ethics of Society and Ethics of Communication Working Group, CfP, its themes, submissions, and panels, please contact:
Chair: Yanick Farmer, farmer.yanick@uqam.ca
Vice-Chair: Marta Martin Llaguno, marta.martin@gcloud.ua.es
Vice-Chair: Ben-Hur Demeneck, b.demeneck@gmail.com
